I owe a huge debt of gratitude to so many people that it would be impossible to list them all. The community of indie authors is warm and inviting and so utterly helpful. Whether you answered a question for me or helped me develop a scene, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Carey Heywood, who has earned the affectionate title of my Book Wifey—I will forever be thankful for our friendship. Our late night and early morning chats about all things book related—and lots of things not-so-book related help to keep me grounded and focused. And they make me laugh, a lot!
I have a truly amazing group of beta readers who have helped so much. Thank you Susan Griffiths, Laurna Hamilton, Malinda Burchett, Jennifer Diaz, Jennifer Short (my ninja fairy God mother), Kristy Bruno, Chelsea Camaron (thank you so much for loving my characters as much as I do) and Pamela Schaeffer (I’m so sorry for making you cry—but I’m not, really). Without your feedback, I know that Let Love Heal wouldn’t be what it is today.
I know that I wouldn’t have nearly as many readers as I do if it weren’t for the fantastic bloggers out there who have reviewed and promoted for me. There are too many to name, but please know that, whether it was sharing a post, doing a cover reveal, taking part in a tour or running a spotlight on me, I am so grateful for each and every single one of you. Debra, at Book Enthusiast Promotions, you are a God send. Thank you for everything. I don’t know how you do it, but I’m so glad that you do.
Angela McLaurin at Fictional Formats is my knight in shining armor. I’ll never forget how you came to my rescue at the last minute right before I published Let Love Stay. You’re finishing touches truly bring my words to life on both their virtual and paper pages.
Before a good book can become an exceptional one, it needs a great editor. I am so thrilled that I’ve found one in Becky Johnson at Hot Tree Editing. Thank you for working over my manuscripts with scrutiny and precision. I don’t know how I found you, but I’m so glad I did.
I really don’t know where to begin with thanking my family. I have to admit that when my mom told me that she read Let Love In and she asked for a copy of Let Love Stay, I blushed quite a bit. But, just knowing that she has taken an interest in my writing has helped me feel more confident in sharing it with everyone else. So, thank you Mom for reading and supporting my work. Thank you for being the first person who ever made me feel like I deserved to be loved.
I might very well be the luckiest woman on the planet to have a husband who loves and supports her as much as mine does. So many of the words that Bryan tells Melanie are echoes of the words that he has told me more than once before. Forever my cheerleader and my number one tech-guy, I love you with all of my heart. Thank you so much for helping me see just how beautiful I am.
To my sons, I apologize in advance for any torment that my romance novels cause you when you’re teenagers. I have a good feeling that you might never read these words, but on the off chance that you do (sometime way down the road in the distant future) please know that every time you’ve held one of my books and said it was pretty, or pointed to the computer screen and said “That’s your book, Mommy.,” you’ve made my heart swell with pride.
Let Love Shine Table of Contents
Master Table of Contents
Let Love In
Let Love Stay
Let Love Heal
Let Love Shine
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Epilogue
Bonus Scenes
Acknowledgements
Let Love Be
Let Love Live
Acknowledgements
Other Works
Social Media Links
Dedication
For those who find simple moments of beauty in their otherwise chaotic lives.
Just a heads up—the Let Love Shine novella is followed by about 11K words of bonus materials from Let Love In and Let Love Stay. This means you will think there is more of the novella left than there actually is. As a reader, I tend to get annoyed (yeah, we’ll go with that) when it says there is 25% remaining and it’s a bunch of “other” stuff. The epilogue is the last chapter of Let Love Shine.
Prologue
Summer August 2013
“Okay, sweetie. It looks like you’re all set to go.” The nurse smiles warmly at me as she hands me my discharge papers. Looking over at Reid, she asks, “Why don’t you bring the car seat up to the room and pull your car up front. It’ll be easier to load the little guy in his seat in here than it will be in the car.” She tips her chin to the bassinette in the corner where Braden is napping.
Reid nods politely, but I see the scared-shitless look on his face. I’m sure there’s a similar one on my face too. We’re going home with our baby today. That’ll scare the crap out of anyone.
As he walks past me, he kisses my forehead. “I’ll be right back up.” The nurse walks out with him telling him where to park the car so it won’t be towed, and explaining how to remove the seat.
I remember a few weeks ago when we tried to install the car seat ourselves. Standing in the sweltering summer heat, trying to tell Reid the instructions as he was all contorted and twisted in the back of the Jeep was so not fun. In the end, we got too frustrated and concerned that we were going to mess something up, we ended up driving to the local fire station where they installed it for us.
That sucker is good to go, now.
I scoot off the bed and wince only slightly as I stand. Luckily, everything about my delivery went smoothly and I was only required to stay in the hospital for two nights. But, a smooth delivery does not mean a pain-free one, so I can’t help but wince slightly as I pad over to where Braden lies sleeping.
Lightly grazing my fingers over his head makes him squirm slightly. Blinking his big, blue eyes as he wakes, I feel my heart swell with love. “Hey, baby boy. Did you have a good nap?” He stretches his arms out of his swaddled blanket and yawns. Sliding my hands under his arched back, I lift him and hold him so his head rests under my chin. Inhaling the sweet, baby-fresh smell of his hair, I kiss him and whisper, “I love you, little man.”
Easing us down into the chair causes me to wince once more, but with Braden in my arms, nuzzling against my chest, I barely notice the pain. As he falls back asleep against my chest, I feel complete.
I know this is my purpose in life.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted nothing more than a family of my own. Now, I have it. There’s nothing else in this world that could make me happier. There will always be a part of me that wishes my parents could be here to share this part of my life with them. But, in the last year or so, I’ve learned how to make peace with their passing. It wasn’t easy and I wish I hadn’t spent so many years in the dark over it, but with Reid and now Braden lighting my days, the pain of them no longer being with me has lessened drastically.
“Now, there’s something I’ll never get tired of seeing.” Reid’s voice rouses me from my day-dreaming. He walks into the room and places the car seat on the bed. Squatting on the floor in front of us, he brushes my hair back out of my eyes and tucks it behind my ear. Nuzzling into his hand, I kiss his palm.
“Thank you for taking care of me last night.” He shoots me an ‘are you kidding?’ look.
“Maddy, I live to take care of you. And now, I live to take care of him too.” Reid stands in front of me and opens his arms for me to hand him Braden.
After he buckles Braden into his car seat, Reid turns back around and helps me get out of the chair. “Yeah, but taking care of me doesn’t usually involve brushing my hair.”
“Maddy, you had just given birth to our son and your hair was all over the place. You wanted it taken care of, so I took care of it. It’s that simple.” I wrap my arms around his waist and press my cheek up against his solid chest. Inhaling the scent that is so uniquely Rei
d, I know he is my knight in shining armor. “I don’t know what I did to ever deserve you,” I mumble against his T-shirt.
Pressing his lips to my forehead, I feel his smile. “Yeah, you did get pretty lucky, huh.”
“You know, you didn’t make out half bad either.” I arch an eyebrow at him as I lean back from our embrace slightly.
Reid scans my face as if he’s searching for the lost city of Atlantis or something like that. “Yeah, I guess I’ll keep you.” The dopey, lopsided grin plastered to his face makes me laugh, which of course, is still a bit painful. As I wrap my arm around my still more-than-slightly-rounded belly, a small hiss of pain slips past my lips.
Concern replaces his smile. “Shit, I’m sorry, babe. Are you okay?”
When the flash of pain passes, I wipe a bead of sweat from my brow. “Yeah, I’m good. Just still a little sore.” The muscles in my belly are still crazy sore from pushing and I’ve got a handful of stitches in places I never thought to have them. “Just no more laughing, okay?”
“You got it. I promise. I will never make you laugh again.” His cheeky response earns him an eye roll and a small, but much less painful, laugh. “Come on. Let’s break this kid out of here and go home.” Reid clicks the car seat handle in place just as the nurse walks into the room with my wheelchair.
“Are you guys all ready?” She folds down the legs and pats the seat for me to sit in.
“Yep, we’re all set.” Reid’s words are filled with so much happiness and pride; it makes a face-splitting smile pull at the corners of my lips.
I have this distinct memory of the first time I ever rode in Reid’s new Jeep. I envisioned him driving home from the hospital, with me and the baby next to each other in the backseat. I pull the seat belt across my lap, and rest my hand across Braden’s chest. This is the most perfect moment of my life.
We’re going home today as a family.
My family.
Our family.
A stray tear rolls down my cheek. It’s one produced of pure happiness. Reid peeks back at us through the rearview mirror, and even though there are no tears in his eyes, I know he feels the same way I do right now.
Complete.
When we pull up to our apartment fifteen minutes later, I catch sight of the wooden stork announcing Braden’s birth staked to our small patch of front lawn.
“Don’t look at me,” Reid says defensively. I told him that I didn’t need a whole bunch of fanfare over me coming home or anything like that. As proud as I am of my little family, I’m still a nineteen-year-old, who had to drop out of college because she got pregnant. It may be silly, but there’s still a part of me that feels ashamed.
Reid twists to face me in the backseat. “It was all Momma and Mel. And you know I didn’t have a chance in hell at stopping them.”
He’s right. It’s possible that those two might be more excited about this baby than we are.
Yeah, they’re that excited.
Which explains why they’re already here to greet us as we begin unloading the car. “I got it, Maddy.” Melanie grabs the bag from my hands and hugs me to her side. I love that she came home just for me. She just moved into her own off-campus apartment with the girls. It’s weird that we’re both going down very different paths now. Yet, no matter how far apart it may seem like our lives are drifting, we’ll always be there for each other. I know this with absolute certainty.
“Thank, Mel. You guys didn’t have to be here. You know that, right?” Yeah, that goes over like a lead balloon with Momma who pulls a face at me from behind Melanie.
“You’re right, Maddy,” Momma quips and smiles at me. “We don’t have to be here, but a freight train couldn’t keep us away.”
With their help, we manage to get everything unloaded from the car—flowers, baby gifts, our bags and, of course, our son.
We walk Braden into his nursery and change his rather stinky diaper. We’re still not great at it and he wiggles so much, that within a minute, I’ve got poop smeared on my hand and I feel like I’m going to damage him in some way. Reid’s no better. Who would have ever thought it would take two adults to change the diaper on a six-pound baby?
We must’ve done something wrong, because when we’re just about done Braden gives his lungs a whirl and screams like a banshee.
I snap his onesie and pull him into my arms. “Shh, little guy. It’s okay.” Reid stands next to me, his hand on my back for support, but I feel like a failure. I can’t even change my son’s diaper without him crying. And now, he just won’t stop.
Great.
As if she senses my frustration, Momma pokes her head into the room. “You okay in here? Can I help?”
It’s as if her question opens a flood gate. I lose it. “I was just trying to change him . . . he wouldn’t stop moving . . . I got crap all over . . . then he started screaming . . . I . . .”
Damn hormones.
Rubbing calming circles on my back, Reid coos into my ear. “It’s okay, baby. You did great.”
“He’s right, Maddy. Besides, you’ll get the hang of it and be able to change a diaper one-handed in no time.” I don’t know why I originally thought I didn’t want anyone here when we got home. Where would I be without Momma?
“Thanks, Momma. What do we do now?” Reid and I look over to her like she’s holding the Holy Grail. Yeah, we feel that clueless right now.
“I think you could both use a little nap. Let me take him off your hands.” Cuddling Braden in her arms, she’s all too eager to play grandma for a little bit. “Reid, go get Maddy some Advil and you should both get some rest. You’re going to need it if you plan on making it through the night.” Well, those words make my gut churn with nervousness. Maybe some pain meds and sleep aren’t such a bad idea, after all.
I’m not sure if it’s the sight of my own bed, or the thought of cuddling up with Reid, or the knowledge that Momma is taking care of Braden, but the second I step into our room, exhaustion washes over me. Reid steps behind me and very gently wraps his arms around my not-so-skinny waist. “I’m so proud of you, Maddy.”
“Me? For what? Not snapping our kid’s leg off while I was changing him?” I scoff sarcastically. Seriously, I hope it gets easier.
“Yeah, there’s that.” He pops a sweet kiss on my temple before turning me around to face him. “But mostly, I’m proud of you because you’re amazing and that baby is going to love you so much, no matter how horrible you are at changing his diaper.”
I snuggle into him and thank God that I have Reid by my side. When he feels me yawn against his chest, Reid moves to the dresser and pulls out one of his T-shirts. “Arms up, Mommy.” He grins goofily at me, but I welcome his help getting changed. Then, we curl up together in bed and fall asleep almost instantly.
Sometime later, a gentle tapping on the door wakes me from my sleep. “Someone’s hungry.” Reid stands from the bed and Momma hands Braden to him. I push up in bed and situate myself so that I’m comfortable. The nap and the Advil worked wonders for me and moving is becoming a little less difficult—for now, at least.
“I’ll leave you guys alone. Melanie and I are going to run to the store and pick you up a few things. We’ll be back soon.” She waves from the doorway and Reid slides into bed next to me. He puts a pillow on my lap and helps me get Braden in the right position. When he’s all latched and ready to go, Reid wraps an arm around my shoulder.
“I love you,” he whispers into my ear as he stares amazed at his nursing son.
By the time Momma and Melanie make it back from the store, Reid, Braden and I are in the living room lounging on the couch.
Reid moves to help Momma with the bags and Melanie sits down next to me. Reaching for the baby, I pass him over into her arms. Staring down into in his cute-as-a-button face, Melanie smiles and I see tears building in her eyes. “He’s so beautiful, Maddy. I can’t believe you’re a mommy.” She reaches over and laces her fingers through mine.
“And you’re an aunt and Godmot
her too.” I drop that last piece out there, but it really shouldn’t be a surprise.
“Really?” she gasps and covers her mouth with the hand that’s not currently cradling Braden to her chest.
“Of course, Melanie. You’re the only sister I’ll ever have and the only aunt he’ll ever have.” The tears that were building spill over and down her freckled cheeks.
“Thank you so much, Maddy. I . . .” Her words disappear behind her happiness and we sit together chatting about nothing while Momma and Reid make dinner.
“Thank you for dinner, Momma. It was perfect.” I lean back in my chair as I finish my last bite of pasta.
“Of course, sweetie. We all know how well you and that kitchen get along.” I stick my tongue out at her, but she’s right. I can’t cook to save my life. Standing from the table to clear the dishes, Momma adds, “Now, there’s plenty of leftovers in the fridge and I’ll stop by tomorrow with a few more dishes you can put in the freezer.” The woman is seriously sent by God.
After dinner is all cleaned up, Momma and Melanie get ready to leave. Hugging me tightly, Momma kisses my cheek. “If you need anything at all, please don’t be afraid to call me.” Looking between Reid and me, she adds, “No matter what time, understand? I can be here in five minutes if you need me.”
The Love Series Complete Box Set Page 74
